Deborah Cater
Colourful processions, festive gatherings, devotional songs, and horse-drawn carts weaving through countryside and towns, this is the spirit of a Romería.
While it may appear to be a raucous outdoor party, a Romería is, at its core, a religious pilgrimage. Deeply rooted in Spanish Catholic culture, these pilgrimages honour local saints or the Virgin Mary. They blend faith, folklore, and fiesta in a uniquely Iberian way.
Origins and History
The word Romería comes from romero, meaning someone travelling to Rome, the ultimate pilgrimage destination in medieval Christendom. Over time, the term evolved to refer to any journey made for religious devotion, particularly in rural Spain. By the late Middle Ages, Romerías had become widespread, often linked to Marian devotion, with pilgrimages to hermitages or sanctuaries located in remote countryside areas.
These events traditionally involved villagers walking or riding on horseback or in oxen-drawn carts to a shrine. As they travelled they prayed or sang. Once they arrived, they would hold Mass, followed by communal meals, music, and dancing. Over centuries, Romerías have preserved this dual character of solemn pilgrimage and joyful communal celebration.
Modern Romerías
Today, Romerías remain a significant part of Spain’s cultural and religious calendar, especially in Andalucía, Castilla-La Mancha, and Galicia. While some have retained their intimate, local feel, others have grown into major spectacles attracting tens or even hundreds of thousands of participants.
Typically held in spring or early summer, Romerías often involve elaborate preparations. Locals dress in traditional flamenco or regional attire, decorate their carriages with flowers, and bring food and drink to share with others along the route. Pilgrims sing devotional songs known as sevillanas rocieras as they travel together, often accompanied by tambourines and guitars.
Famous Romerías in Spain
El Rocío, Huelva (Andalucía)
Romería San Rocio in Huelva. Image credit: Diamantino Moreira/YouTube
Without doubt, the most famous Romería in Spain is La Romería del Rocío, held in Almonte, Huelva. This pilgrimage honours the Virgen del Rocío, known as “La Blanca Paloma” (the White Dove). It draws close to a million people every year from across the country and beyond.
Pilgrims travel for days from cities like Seville and Cádiz, in brotherhoods known as hermandades. The climax occurs at the Hermitage of El Rocío, where the Virgin’s statue is carried in a chaotic but moving procession called the salto de la reja (jumping of the rail). It’s a unique blend of fervent religious devotion and Andalucian revelry.
Romería de la Virgen de la Cabeza, Jaén
Held on the last weekend of April, it is considered one of the oldest Romerías in Spain. Pilgrims journey to the Sierra de Andújar to pay homage to the Virgen de la Cabeza, a Marian figure believed to have appeared to a shepherd in the 13th century.
The route to the sanctuary, located high in the hills, is physically demanding; however that doesn’t stop thousands from making the trip each year. The event features an all-night vigil, traditional costumes, and processions of horseback riders and carriages.
Romería Vikinga de Catoira, Galicia
A Romería with a twist, the Romería Vikinga de Catoira in Pontevedra combines traditional elements with a historical reenactment. While not strictly religious, it commemorates the Viking raids of the 11th century and is an event of International Tourist Interest.
Pilgrims and revellers dress as Vikings and recreate the arrival of Norse ships, complete with mock battles and plenty of local wine.
Romería de San Isidro, Madrid
In the capital, the Romería of San Isidro Labrador, the city’s patron saint, takes place every May.
Locals don traditional chulapo dress and head to the Pradera de San Isidro for a giant open-air party. Masses, music, dancing, and food stalls honour the humble farmer saint whose miracles are credited with saving crops and feeding the poor.
It’s not just in Madrid that San Isidro is celebrated. Along the eastern Andalucian coast in Nerja and Almuñecar, colourful processions celebrate the agricultural saint.
Romería de San Isidro in Nerja. Image credit: Ayuntamiento de Nerja, Facebook